In a dramatic showdown that rocked Las Vegas, Ilia <a href="https://news.quantosei.com/2025/06/29/alexandre-pantoja-faces-off-with-new-no-1-contender-after-choking-rival-to-sleep-at-ufc-317/” title=”UFC 317: Pantoja Dominates, Submits Rival, New Foe!”>topuria delivered a stunning first-round knockout victory over former champion Charles Oliveira at UFC 317. The win on Saturday, June 28th, secured Topuria the vacant UFC Lightweight Championship, cementing his status as one of the sport’s elite. This decisive performance at the T-Mobile Arena unfolded precisely as Topuria predicted, adding another highlight reel finish to his perfect professional record.
Ilia Topuria Claims Lightweight Gold with Devastating Knockout
“El Matador” didn’t waste any time making history. Facing the most decorated finisher in UFC history, Topuria needed just 2 minutes and 27 seconds to halt Charles Oliveira’s bid to reclaim the lightweight throne. The fight-ending sequence showcased Topuria’s pinpoint striking power. After largely blocking a stiff jab from Topuria, Oliveira stepped into range, and Topuria unleashed a monstrous straight right hand. This powerful blow landed flush, visibly hurting Oliveira. Topuria immediately followed with a crushing left hook as Oliveira stumbled, sending the Brazilian crashing unconscious to the canvas. Referee Marc Goddard quickly stepped in to stop the fight, with Topuria landing one follow-up ground strike before the official intervention.
How the Championship Bout Unfolded
The highly anticipated main event began with intensity. Oliveira, known for his aggressive starts, immediately pressed forward, utilizing body kicks and leg attacks. He briefly backed Topuria against the fence, looking to impose his will. The action then saw a scramble that led to the ground, with Topuria initially landing in side control. However, the submission threat of Oliveira quickly surfaced as he attempted to secure a leg lock. Topuria remained composed, successfully defending the attempt and scrambling back to his feet. The fight returned to the striking realm, where Topuria’s boxing proved superior, setting the stage for the fight-ending combination. Oliveira, despite the devastating finish, soon recovered and showed great sportsmanship, congratulating the new champion.
Becoming a Historic Two-Division Champion
Ilia Topuria’s victory at UFC 317 marks a significant milestone. By capturing the lightweight belt, he became a two-division champion in the UFC, adding 155-pound gold to his prior featherweight title. This achievement places him in an exclusive club, joining only nine other fighters who have held belts in two different weight classes in UFC history. Notably, Topuria is the first undefeated fighter to accomplish this feat.
His move to lightweight came after vacating the featherweight strap earlier in the year, signaling his clear intention to challenge for dominance in a new division. Topuria entered the fight with immense momentum, having scored consecutive knockout victories over featherweight legends Alexander Volkanovski and Max Holloway. His win over Oliveira now makes it three straight KO finishes against top-tier opponents. Ranked as high as No. 2 pound-for-pound by some outlets, Topuria, who proudly represents Georgia and Spain, showcased that his power and precision translate effectively to the lightweight division, extending his perfect professional record to 17 wins with zero losses.
The Aftermath: Call-Outs and Confrontation
True to his confident nature, Ilia Topuria didn’t shy away from calling his shot both before and after the fight. Having predicted a first-round knockout of Oliveira, he delivered emphatically. In his post-fight interview with Joe Rogan, after declaring himself the “new generation” of MMA, Topuria turned his attention to a familiar foe seated cageside: Paddy Pimblett.
The English lightweight contender, who has a long-standing rivalry with Topuria dating back to a 2022 incident, was invited into the octagon. What followed was a heated verbal exchange. Pimblett acknowledged Topuria’s power, stating, “That was a heavy knockout, respect – I give you that. But you will never knock me out.” Topuria fired back with equally strong language. The tension quickly escalated, with Topuria shoving Pimblett backward before security intervened to separate the two rivals. UFC CEO Dana White expressed his displeasure with Pimblett entering the cage given the known animosity, but the confrontation clearly signaled a potential future showdown that captured the attention of the combat sports world.
Beyond the Main Event: UFC 317 Card Highlights
While Topuria’s championship win dominated headlines, UFC 317 featured a stacked card with several significant outcomes and exciting fights, including another title defense and potential ‘Fight of the Year’ contenders, all unfolding during International Fight Week in Las Vegas.
Alexandre Pantoja Successfully Defends Flyweight Title
In the co-main event, reigning UFC Flyweight Champion Alexandre Pantoja (30-5) successfully defended his belt for the fourth time. Facing Kai Kara-France (25-12, 1 NC) in a rematch from their encounter on The Ultimate Fighter, Pantoja dominated the grappling exchanges and controlled much of the fight. He secured the victory via rear-naked choke submission at 1 minute and 55 seconds of the third round. Pantoja’s dominant performance further solidified his position atop the 125-pound division, and he voiced his desire for greater recognition in the pound-for-pound rankings after the win.
Other Notable Main Card Bouts
The main card featured several other compelling matchups:
Joshua Van vs. Brandon Royval: In a potential title eliminator, Joshua Van (15-2), taking the fight on short notice, defeated Brandon Royval (17-8), the division’s top contender, via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27). The three-round flyweight war was a back-and-forth slugfest characterized by incredible boxing and a high volume of strikes, earning praise as a potential “Fight of the Year” contender. Van scored a late knockdown despite revealing he fought with a broken toe and confronted champion Pantoja in the cage afterward.
Beneil Dariush vs. Renato Moicano: Veteran lightweight Beneil Dariush (23-6-1) bounced back from a first-round knockdown to defeat Renato Moicano (20-7-1) by unanimous decision (29-28 x3). Dariush utilized his superior grappling to control the latter rounds after recovering from the early scare.
- Payton Talbott vs. Felipe Lima: Bantamweight prospect Payton Talbott (10-1) returned to the win column with a unanimous decision victory (29-28 x3) over Felipe Lima (14-2). Talbott showcased an improved ground game, controlling the action despite early pressure from Lima.
- sports.yahoo.com
- www.usatoday.com
- bloodyelbow.com
- www.independent.co.uk
- nypost.com
The preliminary portion of the card also delivered notable finishes, including first-round knockouts by Gregory Rodrigues (though with some controversy) and Jose Miguel Delgado, as well as quick first-round submissions by Terrance McKinney and Jacobe Smith, who overcame being a major betting favorite to secure his first career submission.
What’s Next? The Future of the Lightweight Division
With Ilia Topuria now sitting atop the stacked lightweight division, the landscape is wide open. While the post-fight confrontation suggests a potential blockbuster clash with Paddy Pimblett could be on the horizon, the division boasts numerous contenders. Former champions like Islam Makhachev (if he returns to lightweight) or Charles Oliveira himself (after recovery) remain significant factors. However, after an emphatic and historic victory like this, all eyes are firmly on Ilia Topuria and who will be the first to challenge the “new generation.”
Frequently Asked Questions
Who won the main event at UFC 317 and how?
Ilia Topuria defeated Charles Oliveira in the main event of UFC 317. Topuria won by knockout (KO) in the first round at the 2:27 mark, landing a decisive right hand followed by a left hook that sent Oliveira to the canvas unconscious.
What records did Ilia Topuria set with his win at UFC 317?
With his victory over Charles Oliveira, Ilia Topuria became a two-division UFC champion. He is the first undefeated fighter in UFC history to win championships in two different weight classes, and the tenth fighter overall to achieve two-division champion status.
What happened between Ilia Topuria and Paddy Pimblett after the fight?
Following his win, Ilia Topuria called out Paddy Pimblett, who was sitting cageside. Pimblett entered the octagon, leading to a heated verbal exchange where they traded insults and threats. The confrontation escalated when Topuria shoved Pimblett, requiring security intervention to separate them.
Conclusion
UFC 317 delivered an unforgettable night of fights, headlined by a truly historic performance. Ilia Topuria’s first-round knockout of Charles Oliveira was not just a title-winning moment; it was a statement from a fighter who had promised a definitive finish and delivered. By becoming a two-division champion and maintaining his undefeated record, Topuria has firmly established himself at the pinnacle of the sport. The drama extended beyond the main event, with thrilling performances across the card and a heated confrontation setting up potential future matchups. As the dust settles in Las Vegas, the MMA world looks ahead to see who will step up to challenge the dominant new lightweight king.
Word Count Check: 1148
